U.S. patent application number 12/673174 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-28 for vehicle advertising system.
This patent application is currently assigned to GRAPHIC LAMINATING, LLC. Invention is credited to Micheal N. Hannon.
Application Number | 20110099075 12/673174 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40351119 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110099075 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hannon; Micheal N. |
April 28, 2011 |
VEHICLE ADVERTISING SYSTEM
Abstract
A mobile advertising system includes a banner, a first banner
anchor and a second banner anchor coupled to a vehicle. The banner
is capable of being deployed by being connected at opposing ends to
and suspended between the first and second banner anchors. The
banner has first and second surfaces on which indicia are
imprinted. Both the first and second banner surfaces are visible
when the banner is deployed. An invoicing and tracking system may
be included that computes an advertising charge based at least in
part on a time period during which the banner is deployed and,
optionally, a location of the vehicle.
Inventors: |
Hannon; Micheal N.;
(Chardon, OH) |
Assignee: |
GRAPHIC LAMINATING, LLC
Solon
OH
|
Family ID: |
40351119 |
Appl. No.: |
12/673174 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
August 12, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US08/72848 |
371 Date: |
January 12, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60955545 |
Aug 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.68 ;
40/591 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0272 20130101;
G09F 21/048 20130101; G09F 11/30 20130101; G09F 15/0025 20130101;
G09F 17/00 20130101; G09F 21/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.68 ;
40/591 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00; G09F 21/04 20060101 G09F021/04 |
Claims
1. A mobile advertising system comprising: a banner having first
and second surfaces on which indicia are imprinted; a first banner
anchor coupled to a vehicle; and a second banner anchor coupled to
the vehicle; wherein the banner is capable of being deployed by
being connected at opposing ends to and suspended between the first
and second banner anchors such that the first and second banner
surfaces are visible when the banner is deployed.
2. The mobile advertising system of claim 1 wherein the first
banner anchor comprises a front mast and the banner comprises a
retractable banner; and further wherein the banner is fixed to the
front mast in a manner that allows the banner to be deployed from
the front mast and attached to the second banner anchor.
3. The mobile advertising system of claim 2 wherein the front mast
comprises a banner enclosure that encloses substantially an
entirety of the banner when the banner is retracted.
4. The mobile advertising system of claim 2 comprising a winch
motor operably coupled to a drive assembly, the drive assembly
configured to translate motor rotation to deploy or retract the
banner from the front mast.
5. The mobile advertising system of claim 4 wherein the retractable
banner is rolled onto a spool that is configured to engage and be
driven by the drive assembly.
6. The mobile advertising system of claim 2 wherein the rear mast
comprises a hem rod that is inserted through a banner hem and is
removably coupled to a rear mast base.
7. The mobile advertising system of claim 1 comprising an invoicing
system that computes an advertising charge based at least in part
on an amount of time the banner is deployed.
8. The mobile advertising system of claim 7 comprising a location
tracking system that determines a location of the mobile
advertising system and wherein the invoicing system receives
location data from a GPS tracking system and computes an
advertising charge based at least in part on the location data.
9. The mobile advertising system of claim 8 wherein the location
tracking system is adapted to determine whether the mobile
advertising system is in motion or is stationary and wherein the
invoicing system receives data from the location tracking system
corresponding to whether the mobile advertising system is in motion
or is stationary and computes the advertising charge based at least
in part on whether the mobile advertising system is in motion or is
stationary.
10. The mobile advertising system of claim 8 wherein the invoicing
system computes the advertising charge based at least in part on
one of at least two billing rates associated with one of at least
two particular location zones in which the mobile advertising
system is located.
11. A method of advertising comprising: providing a banner capable
of being deployed by being connected at opposing ends to and
suspended between first and second banner anchors coupled to a
vehicle, the banner having a first and second surface on which
indicia are imprinted and wherein both the first and second banner
surfaces are visible when the banner is deployed; determining
whether the banner is deployed; accumulating a time period during
which the banner is deployed; and computing an advertising charge
based at least in part on the time period during which the banner
is deployed.
12. The method of claim 11 comprising the step of determining a
location of the vehicle when the banner is deployed and wherein the
step of computing an advertising charge is performed based at least
in part on the location of the vehicle during the time period in
which the banner is deployed.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of computing an
advertising charge includes the step of selecting a billing rate
from at least two different billing rates wherein each billing rate
is associated with one of at least two location zones.
14. The method of claim 11 comprising the step of determining
whether the vehicle is in motion and wherein the step of computing
an advertising charge includes the step of selecting a billing rate
from at least two different billing rates, wherein a first billing
rate is selected when the vehicle is in motion and a second billing
rate is selected when the vehicle is not in motion.
15. For use with a deployable banner carried by a vehicle, a system
for computing an advertising charge for a given advertiser
comprising: a banner sensor that senses if the banner is deployed;
a usage timer that determines a time period during which the banner
is deployed based at least in part on data from the banner sensor;
a vehicle location tracker that determines a location of the
vehicle during the time period the banner is deployed; a cost
computer that computes advertising charges based at least in part
on the vehicle location and time period during which the banner is
deployed; and an invoice generator that accumulates and
communicates the computed advertising charges to the
advertiser.
16. The system for computing an advertising charge of claim 15
wherein the vehicle location tracker is configured to detect a rate
of vehicle motion and wherein the cost computer computes
advertising charges based at least in part on a rate of vehicle
motion.
17. The system for computing an advertising charge of claim 15
wherein the cost computer computes the advertising charges by
selecting a billing rate from at least two billing rates, wherein
each billing rate corresponds to a different location zone and by
multiplying the selected billing rate by the amount of time period
during which the banner was deployed and the vehicle was located
within the corresponding location zone.
18. The system for computing an advertising charge of claim 15
wherein the vehicle location tracker comprises a GPS system.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/955,545, entitled "Vehicle
Advertising System" filed Aug. 13, 2007, the entire disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference, to the extent that it is
not conflicting with the present application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Outdoor structures and methods are well-known in the
advertising field of art to advertise and promote products and
services. Some examples include billboards along roads, digital
signs in urban locations, and the exterior vertical sides of truck
trailers. Few other efficient and revenue generating methods for
advertising in the transportation industry exist.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A mobile advertising system includes a banner, a first
banner anchor and a second banner anchor coupled to a vehicle. The
banner is capable of being deployed by being connected at opposing
ends to and suspended between the first and second banner anchors.
The banner has first and second surfaces on which indicia are
imprinted. Both the first and second banner surfaces are visible
when the banner is deployed. An invoicing and tracking system may
be included that computes an advertising charge based at least in
part on a time period during which the banner is deployed and,
optionally, a location of the vehicle.
[0004] A method of advertising includes providing a banner capable
of being deployed by being connected at opposing ends to and
suspended between first and second anchors coupled to a vehicle.
The banner has first and second surfaces on which indicia are
imprinted and both the first and second banner surfaces are visible
when the banner is deployed. A determination of whether the banner
is deployed is made and a time period during which the banner is
deployed is accumulated. An advertising charge is computed based at
least in part on the time period during which the banner is
deployed.
[0005] A system for computing an advertising charge for a given
advertiser includes a banner sensor that senses if the banner is
deployed and a usage timer that determines a time period during
which the banner is deployed based at least in part on data from
the banner sensor. A vehicle location tracker determines a location
of the vehicle during the time period the banner is deployed. A
cost computer computes advertising charges based at least in part
on the vehicle location and time period during which the banner is
deployed. An invoice generator accumulates and communicates the
computed advertising charges to the advertiser.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description made with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle advertising system
installed on a vehicle;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a banner assembly of the
vehicle advertising system of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of the banner assembly of the vehicle
advertising system of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIGS. 4A-4B are perspective views of a front mast of the
vehicle advertising system of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIGS. 5A-5B are perspective views of a rear mast of the
vehicle advertising system of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIGS. 6A-6B are perspective views of a rear mast of a
vehicle advertising system constructed in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIGS. 6C-6D are perspective views of a rear mast of a
vehicle advertising system constructed in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a front mast of a vehicle
advertising system that shows the rear mast in a stowed position in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a tracking and
invoicing system for use with a vehicle advertising system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of tracking and invoicing
for use with a vehicle advertising system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] This Detailed Description of the Invention merely describes
embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope
of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as described is
broader than and unlimited by the embodiments described herein, and
the terms used have their full ordinary meaning.
[0018] According to an inventive aspect of the present application,
a mobile advertising system employs hardware and data collection
and transmission electronics to create a revenue generating
advertising system based on implementation time and location
variables. The system includes assembly hardware that is installed
on a mobile transportation vehicle, and may also include system
vehicle electronics that are also installed on the vehicle and/or
remote electronics installed at a receiving base location. Unique
software and other processing components may also be included.
[0019] FIGS. 1-9 illustrate exemplary embodiments of a mobile
advertising system according to inventive aspects of the present
application. The mobile advertising system includes a banner
assembly 10 shown installed on a vehicle in FIG. 1. The system
utilizes free time to generate advertising revenue when no
obstructing load is carried by the vehicle, such as, for example, a
flat bed truck. In this example, the banner assembly 10 would be
positioned parallel to the length of the bed and slightly off
center toward the driver's side to accommodate a winch (not shown).
While a flat bed truck 15 is shown in FIG. 1, any vehicle that
includes a surface suitable for mounting a banner can be used in
practice of the invention. It should be understood that other
assembly locations and other vehicle types can be utilized in the
practice of this invention. For example, a barge or towed trailer
could also be used to carry the banner assembly 10.
[0020] The banner assembly 10 includes a banner 40 and first and
second banner anchors coupled to the vehicle, such as, for example,
a front mast 20, a rear mast 30. When the mobile advertising system
is in use, the front mast 20 and rear mast 30 are anchored to the
vehicle and may also be stabilized by one or more cables 35
connected to the front and rear masts. The height of the connection
point on the cable 35, and the location of the opposing connection
point of the cable 35 may vary. The banner 40 is deployed from the
front mast 20 and connected to the rear mast 30. While the banner
40 described herein is a retractable banner, any suitable type of
banner may be used in practice of the invention, including a
removable banner (not shown) that is hung between the front and
rear masts and is completely removed from the masts when not in
use.
[0021] FIGS. 2 and 3 are views of the banner assembly 10. The front
mast 20 forms a first mounting point for one end of the banner 40.
The front mast 20 is mounted to the truck bed floor by bolts or any
suitable technique and can be reinforced by tie downs such as the
cables 35 (FIG. 1) or any structure at two other points.
Alternatively, the front mast may be readily removable from the
vehicle when not in use. In some embodiments, the opposite end of
the banner 40 includes a hem 40a that is adapted to receive a hem
rod 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the hem rod 34 is inserted
through the hem 40a and snapped into clips 32 located at the top
and bottom of the rear mast 30. Other structure can be employed to
secure the hem rod.
[0022] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the banner 40 is thus
deployed from the front mast 20 and is installed to the rear mast
30. The banner can be made from vinyl or any other suitable
material resistant to tearing, inclement weather, or other types of
damage. Text and images can be printed on either side to create a
two-sided advertisement.
[0023] FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded perspective views of the front
mast 20. The front mast 20 includes a banner enclosure 22 in which
a removable banner spool 43 is installed. A winch motor 23 engages
a drive assembly 27 that forms a top portion of the front mast 20.
The drive assembly 27 includes a motor gear 61, a toothed belt 69,
and a spindle gear 63. When energized, the winch motor 23 drives
the motor gear 61. The toothed belt 69 drives the spindle gear 63
to deploy or retract the banner, depending on the direction the
winch motor is turning. Of course, any means of translating motor
rotation into spool rotation can be used. For example, the drive
assembly may include, for example, a gear set that is driven by the
winch motor 23 to deploy or retract the banner. A switch (not
shown) on the front mast 20 or a remote control (not shown) is used
to operate the winch motor.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 4B, a banner access plate 24 is removable
from the enclosure 22 to provide access to the interior of the
banner enclosure 22 for installation of the banner spool 43. The
banner 40 is wound around the spool 43 and the spool includes a
spindle top 67 that is configured to engage a spindle receiver 64.
In the described embodiment, the spindle receiver 64 is spring
loaded to maintain a compressive force on the spool 43 when it is
installed. The spindle receiver 64 engages and is driven by the
spindle gear 63. The banner access plate 24 includes a slot through
which the banner is fed and one or more wiper mechanisms, such as,
for example, rollers 25 or brushes (not shown) on either side of
the slot that remove debris from the banner prior to its being
retracted into the front mast 20.
[0025] A front mast base 21 is fixed to the vehicle. The front mast
base 21 is configured to accept a spindle bottom 72 such that the
spindle bottom can rotate with respect to the front mast base. The
front mast 20 provides tension to the entire banner, impeding
movement by wind or motion. Any tension mechanism may be used in
the practice of the invention, such as for example, a spring loaded
mechanism (not shown) or operation of the winch motor to draw and
maintain the banner taut upon installation. In using the system, a
system owner or operator will on occasion need to change the banner
because of a new advertiser. The banner spool 43 can be removed
from the front mast 20 through the banner access plate 24.
[0026] FIGS. 5A and 5B are a perspective views of the rear mast 30.
The rear mast 30 includes the clips 32 that accept the hem rod 34
(FIGS. 2 and 3) and maintain the banner in the deployed position.
The rear mast 30 includes a pole 31 that is removably fixed to a
rear mast base 34. In the described embodiment, the pole 31
includes a mounting flange 36 that is configured to rest on a keyed
mounting boss 37. To fix the pole 31 to the rear mast base 34 the
pole is inserted into a key slot 37a in the keyed mounting boss 37.
Once the pole 31 is installed in the keyed mounting boss 37, a key
33 is anchored to the rear mast base 34 with a pin 39 to prevent
movement of the pole 31 out of the key slot 37a. The banner tension
tends to keep the pole 31 in the key slot of the keyed mounting
boss 37. Three point loading of the pole 31, such as by cables 35
(FIG. 1) can also be used. When the vehicle is empty of any load
that forms an obstruction, the banner can be displayed by placing
the rear mast 30 in position and attaching it to the key slot in
the keyed mounting boss 37. When a load is on the vehicle, the
banner 40 is retracted and the rear mast 30 is in a stowed position
attached to the front mast (see e.g., FIG. 7).
[0027] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of an alternative rear
mast 30'. In this embodiment, the rear mast 30' does not include
clips to accept a hem rod. Instead, the rear mast 30' includes a
removable pole 31' that serves the same purpose as the hem rod. The
removable pole 31' has a key groove 38 near its bottom. The
removable pole 31' is sized to be inserted in the hem 40a of the
banner 40. The key groove 38 is configured to be removably
installed in a key slot 37a in a keyed mounting boss 37'.
[0028] FIGS. 6C and 6D are perspective views of an alternative rear
mast 30''. Like rear mast 30', rear mast 30'' does not include
clips to accept a hem rod. Instead, rear mast 30'' includes a
removable pole 31'' that serves the same purpose as the hem rod.
The removable pole 31'' has a key groove 38' near its bottom. The
removable pole 31'' is sized to be inserted in the hem 40a of the
banner 40. In this embodiment, the key groove 38' is configured to
be removably installed in a key slot 37a'' in the bed of a flat bed
34a''.
[0029] The system is designed to collect and transmit data
regarding the time and location of the vehicle during periods in
which the banner 40 is deployed to a fully extended position, i.e.,
time the vehicle acts as a piece of advertisement. FIG. 8 is a
functional block diagram of a tracking and invoicing system 100
that can be used with the mobile advertising system. The tracking
and invoicing system includes a banner sensor 110 that provides a
signal that indicates whether the banner is deployed or not. The
banner sensor may be for example, a proximity switch that senses
the presence of the banner in the fully extended position or a
position of a drive assembly component. Alternatively, the banner
sensor may be a manual switch operating by the user of the system.
A Global Positioning System (GPS) real time location tracker 120,
such as for example, the SAGEQUEST.TM. system, is incorporated into
the system to track the vehicle's location during deployment of the
banner. It will relay information to a usage timer 130 that
collects data regarding vehicle location, actual date and time, and
whether or not the banner is deployed. The information can be
relayed at any interval, such as for example, 1, 2, or 5 minutes.
The data from the timer 130 of one or more vehicles is be collected
by a cost computer 140. The cost computer provides data regarding
advertiser charges to an invoice generator 150 that accumulates and
communicates the advertising charges to the advertiser by
generating invoices or updating cost information in some manner
that will be accessible by the advertiser, such as, for example, an
encrypted website. Based on advertising contracts, the collected
data can be used to determine rates for billing cycles or determine
future rates. It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that
any or all of the vehicle location tracker 120, the timer 130, the
cost computer 140, and the invoice generator may be located in a
remote central server or on each vehicle.
[0030] The use of a GPS tracking components in the advertising
system electronics can be utilized for other purposes, such as for
example, by a fleet operator to determine location of individual
trucks. This can eliminate the need for a stand-alone GPS system in
a vehicle when a fleet operator desires a real time location
system.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a flowchart that illustrates one exemplary method
200 of operating the mobile advertising system. At 210, the status
of the banner is determined. If the banner is deployed at 220, the
location of the banner (and the vehicle it is mounted on) is
determined. In addition, the location tracker may determine whether
or not the vehicle is in motion. The region through which the
vehicles travels may be divided into zones, with each zone having
its own billing rate. At 230, an incremental cost to the advertiser
is computed based at least in part on the time of deployment and
the zone in which the banner is located and, optionally, whether
the vehicle is in motion. At 240, an invoice is generated at some
predetermined interval based on accumulated cost data. The invoice
may be in the form a periodic statement or in an update of billing
information on a website that is accessible to advertisers.
[0032] While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of
the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied
in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects,
concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments,
either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations
thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and
sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present
inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as
to the various aspects, concepts and features of the
inventions--such as alternative materials, structures,
configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components,
software, hardware, control logic, alternatives as to form, fit and
function, and so on--may be described herein, such descriptions are
not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available
alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later
developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more
of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional
embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions
even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein.
Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the
inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement
or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such
feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still
further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be
included to assist in understanding the present disclosure;
however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a
limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges
only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects,
features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being
inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is
not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive
aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein
without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific
invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not
limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases,
nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as
required or necessary unless expressly so stated.
* * * * *